raise 1 of 2

verb

ˈrāz How to pronounce raise (audio)
Definition of raisenext
1
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position he asked members of the audience to raise their hands if they had been to his show before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to foster
to bring to maturity through care and education since she was only two when her mother died, the girl was raised mainly by her aunt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being a proposal to cover the library's red brick with vinyl siding raised a mighty ruckus with those favoring historical preservation

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4
as in to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) the lawsuit raised old resentments that had never been completely extinguished

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position the mattress will fit into the moving truck only if we raise it on its side

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6
as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials raised a memorial on the site of the historic event

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7
as in to grow
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care raises ducks, geese, and other exotic fowl ultimately destined for the dinner table

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8
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number the multiplex raised the ticket price

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9
as in to promote
to move higher in rank or position he was recently raised to lieutenant in the fire department

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10
as in to introduce
to present or bring forward for discussion one member of the tour raised the subject of appropriate attire for visits to sacred sites in the Holy Land

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11
as in to express
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) too afraid to raise an objection

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raise

2 of 2

noun

as in increase
something added (as by growth) the school board approved a raise in the maximum family income for students qualifying for reduced-price lunches

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb raise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of raise are boost, elevate, heave, hoist, lift, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

In what contexts can boost take the place of raise?

The synonyms boost and raise are sometimes interchangeable, but boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

How does the word elevate relate to other synonyms for raise?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When might heave be a better fit than raise?

In some situations, the words heave and raise are roughly equivalent. However, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When could hoist be used to replace raise?

The words hoist and raise can be used in similar contexts, but hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When is it sensible to use lift instead of raise?

Although the words lift and raise have much in common, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

How do rear and raise relate to one another?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of raise
Verb
These wagers raise concerns about how campaign operatives might exploit private information for quick financial gain amid an unsettled legal landscape. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 May 2026 But the Western Avenue part of the project was scuppered in 1985, when an underground methane gas explosion at a Ross Dress for Less store in Fairfax raised concerns about tunnel safety. —National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Noun
The teachers aren’t asking for a pay raise — but their high-cost benefits are tantamount to a big pay cut. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 Having the full Bird rights also gives Charlotte the ability to offer the maximum salary possible with the most number of years — five — with 8% annual raises. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
  1. lift
  2. foster
  3. provoke
  4. elicit
  5. erect
  6. build
  7. grow
  8. increase
Verb
  • Spurs’ back-to-back wins have lifted them out of the relegation zone and their remaining fixtures are hugely important.
    — Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 7 May 2026
  • And dirt is moving on the site of a future 148,000-square-foot Target, where developers and city and county officials lifted their shovels Tuesday.
    — Rose Evans Updated May 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
Definition of lift
Verb
  • Mifa will also launch a series of closed-door workshops on artificial intelligence and private investment, aimed at fostering open discussion among industry professionals.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Ahead, Fields talks determination in pursuit of a dream, following your instincts and fostering relationships.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of foster
Verb
  • The Declaration’s insurrectionist contention—that people, when unjustly provoked, have the right to dissolve their government—hung heavily in a country that had just witnessed the eleven states of the Confederacy make the same argument.
    — Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchéz, are honorary chairs and lead sponsors of the gala — which has provoked an activist group to call for a boycott of the event.
    — Ivy Buck, NPR, 4 May 2026
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • The king, for his part, elicited multiple standing ovations from Democrats and Republicans who listened with rapt attention.
    — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The key element by which fascism elicited widespread devotion was its deep understanding of human psychology.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • At least two memorials have been erected in Williams’ honor, including one at the site of the crash and another at her school.
    — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026
  • Another had a mossy headpiece with wire erecting green and platinum hair balls.
    — Essence, Essence, 4 May 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • The project is particularly acrimonious, drawing out geographical battles between north and south and thorny fights between officials who want to build the tunnel and environmentalists and Delta residents seeking to protect the local ecosystem and their way of life.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
  • If companies want to build data centers, for example, they should be required not only to absorb any electricity-cost increases but also to pay for upgrades to our grid infrastructure.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Definition of build
Verb
  • Several speakers pointed to a growing body of research showing that minor stops disproportionately affect Black and brown motorists and do little to combat violent crime while eroding public trust.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • The intensity of its light continues to grow as Rich and Abby Zawadzki lead the way in the circle.
    — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Definition of grow
Verb
  • The 76ers led for all but 31 seconds in the game, increasing a five-point halftime edge to 18 in the third quarter.
    — Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • Her aunt plans to pressure the City Council to pass measures to increase building safety.
    — Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Definition of increase

Phrases Containing raise

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rainy day
raise
raise Cain
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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on raise

Nglish: Translation of raise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about raise

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